Bayesian archaeomagnetic dating : The Rendate software
Abstract
The Bayesian statistical framework allows us to estimate the calendar dates of undated archaeological features (such as kilns or ceramics) based on one, two or three geomagnetic parameters (inclination, declination and/or intensity). The "RenDate" software now allows the date estimates to be presented in much the same way as those that arise from radiocarbon dating. It is also possible to combine different datings owning to one or several stratigraphic sequences. In order to illustrate the models and inference methods used, we will present results combining magnetic data with chronometric data (radiocarbon or thermoluminescence dating), relative dating (stratigraphy) and chrono-correlation information (chrono-typology for instance). The important notion of Bayesian "phase", or how to define a time distribution for some set of events, will be introduced. The RenDate software will be presented and used to show the models and results we can construct and obtain when it is applied to archaeological data